Stevie Wonder cancels show at Israel Defence Forces fundraiser

LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - Veteran singer and United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace Stevie Wonder has cancelled a planned performance for the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces after several organisations asked him not to perform.

The soul singer, 62, was scheduled to sing at a Dec 6 fundraising gala in Los Angeles hosted by the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces (FIDF), an organisation set up to help those serving in the Israel Defence Forces and families of fallen soldiers.

"Given the current and very delicate situation in the Middle East, and with a heart that has always cried out for world unity, I will not be performing at the FIDF Gala," Wonder said in a statement sent to Reuters by his spokesman.

Wonder said he would make contributions to organisations that support Israeli and Palestinian children with disabilities.